Get the system flushed, new tstat and insist on a full test drive by tech if at all possible. Has to be something with this particular car. Any service records available from the selling dealer? Warranty work should be documented by Chrysler. Good luck. Jim

When it is hot, have you looked under the hood to see if there are any bubbles appearing in the surge tank? I still feel like there are combustion gasses escaping from the combustion chambers into the cooling system. Is the level in the surge tank dropping at all after an overheat cycle, when it is completely cooled down?

__________________
-Rich-

"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green

When it is hot, have you looked under the hood to see if there are any bubbles appearing in the surge tank? I still feel like there are combustion gasses escaping from the combustion chambers into the cooling system. Is the level in the surge tank dropping at all after an overheat cycle, when it is completely cooled down?

Yesterday it did not appear that ANY coolant was being lost. I looked very closely everywhere under the hood while running. Coolant level is on the HOT mark. Slight gurgling sound from the reservoir. This am I will check the COLD level. I marked it carefully before we left yesterday.

If the dealer won't change the t-stat under warranty, I'll go to my mechanic and pay to have him do it.

You know, in a modern dealer service situation you can't get to the mechanic. A "service writer" intercepts you to do paper work and they have no car knowledge. It's hard to get across the fine points of what the car is doing. So, I am going to type up a description that can be handed to the mechanic. Otherwise, the service writer puts down "over heating" and the mechanic does a basic test and if it doesn't show a problem, he's done.

The gurgling makes me believe there are gasses in the cooling system. So does the very rapid rise in coolant temp...form hot to very hot in short time described above. It's a long distance, sight unseen diagnosis, but I really think it's a head gasket or cracked head/block. You should see some lowering of cold coolant level though....and smell coolant at the exhaust.

__________________
-Rich-

"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green

At the very least I would change the thermostat and the radiator hoses. I have had a hose that would collapse at intervals.

Are you running an add on transmission cooler?

I would also look at getting rid of it unless I found a clear, definitive cause and could assure it is fixed. My experience was you could run around town and idle it in parking lots at 100 degrees and it was fine. But drive it on the interstate and stop for a rest area or gas and it overheated and spewed fluid everywhere. But not everytime.

Yes, but I wouldn't assume they did it...or properly. I have seen instances where a head gasket seals pretty well cold and opens up hot. Didn't show on a couple hour cold pressure test. Might show overnight.

Sent from my XT907 using Airstream Forums mobile app

__________________
-Rich-

"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green

Man, what a pain in the butt. Document everything and like I said the service dept. should be able to pull up all warranty work done by vin number no matter what dealer did the work. Past history could be your salvation if the worst case scenario comes true. Jim